Trump ‘not happy’ about Iran nuclear talks as Middle East war fears grow – National
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he was “not happy” with the latest talks about Iran’s nuclear program but indicated that he would give the negotiators more time to reach an agreement to prevent another war in the Middle East.
He spoke a day after US envoys held another incomplete round of indirect talks with Iran in Geneva. As US forces mass in the region, Trump has threatened military action if Iran does not agree to a far-reaching deal on its nuclear program, while Iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and denies seeking a nuclear weapon.
“I’m not happy that they’re not willing to give us what we should have. I’m not happy about that. We’ll see what happens. We’ll talk later,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Friday. “We are not happy with the way they are negotiating. They will not have nuclear weapons.”
Trump was asked about the dangers of the US getting into a protracted conflict if it attacks Iran.
“I guess you could say there’s always a risk,” Trump replied. “You know, when there is a war, there is a risk of anything, good or bad.
“I would prefer not to use it but sometimes you have to,” he added when asked about the potential use of force.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to take a quick trip to Israel early next week, the State Department said. The U.S. ambassador to Israel had previously urged workers who want to leave to leave, join other nations in encouraging people to leave the region and signal that a U.S. war may be imminent.
Global News asked the Canadian government if it was telling embassy staff in Israel to leave, after Global Affairs Canada warned Canadians in Iran to leave “now if you can do it safely.”
The announcement of Rubio’s visit, along with Trump’s recent comments, could indicate a longer timeline for any potential strike.
The State Department said Rubio will visit Israel on Monday and Tuesday “to discuss important regional issues including Iran, Lebanon, and continued efforts to implement President Trump’s 20-point Gaza Peace Plan.” It did not provide further details.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long urged the US to take strong action against Iran, and has warned that Israel will respond to any attack by Iran.
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Meanwhile a confidential report from the UN nuclear watchdog confirmed that Iran has not given inspectors access to sensitive nuclear sites since they were heavily bombed during the 12-day war launched by Israel last June. Because of this, it said that it cannot confirm Iran’s claims that it has stopped enriching uranium after the US and Israeli strikes.
The report was distributed to member states and seen by the Associated Press.
Those wishing to leave ‘must do so TODAY’
The announcement of Rubio’s visit came hours after the US Embassy in Jerusalem implemented “authorized departure” status for non-essential workers and family members, meaning eligible workers can leave the country voluntarily at government expense.
In an email, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee urged workers considering leaving to do so immediately, advising them to focus on getting any flight out of Israel and to Washington.
“Those wishing to take AD should do so TODAY,” Huckabee wrote, using the acronym for “authorized travel.”
“Although there may be flights departing in the coming days, there may not be,” he added. The email was also disclosed to The Associated Press by another person involved in the US mission who was not authorized to share details.
At a town hall meeting Friday after the email was sent, Huckabee told employees he was encouraging airlines to keep flying.
Vance meets with a mediator
Iran and the United States on Thursday walked out of another round of nuclear talks in Geneva without a deal.
Technical talks are scheduled to take place in Vienna next week.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that “what needs to happen has been made clear from our side,” without giving details. Iran has long sought relief from tough international sanctions in order to take steps to curtail but not end its nuclear program.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman, Badr al-Busaidi, who was the mediator in these talks, met on Friday with the US Vice President JD Vance to discuss the talks.
“I am grateful for their involvement and I look forward to further progress in the coming days,” al-Busaidi wrote on X. “Peace can be made for us.”
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, met with Christopher Yeaw, the US arms control official. Grossi posted to X that the two men had “a timely exchange on current non-proliferation issues, including Iran and other areas of common interest.”
The UN official urged Iran and the US to “focus on the diplomatic channel.”
“We see both of these positive messages coming out of the diplomatic corps, which we continue to promote,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, according to his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric.
“We are also seeing very troubling military movements across the region, which is very troubling.”
Flights have been grounded as people are urged to leave
The US has amassed a large number of aircraft and warships in the Middle East, with one aircraft carrier already in place and another heading to the region. Iran says it will respond to any US attack by targeting US forces in the region, possibly including those stationed at US bases in allied Arab countries.
Airlines such as Netherlands-based KLM have already announced plans to stop flights from Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion International Airport, while other embassies have also made plans to authorize departures from Israel and neighboring countries.
The British Foreign Office said that “due to the security situation, UK staff have been temporarily withdrawn from Iran.” It said the embassy is working remotely.
In Israel, the UK said on Friday it had moved diplomatic staff and their families from Tel Aviv to an undisclosed location in Israel “as a precautionary measure.” In updating its travel advice, the Foreign Office advises against “all but essential” travel to Israel.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday the UK was focused on “supporting the political process” between Washington and Tehran.
Meanwhile the German Foreign Ministry urgently advises against traveling to Israel.
Australia on Wednesday “directed the departure of all dependents of Australian officials sent to Israel due to the deterioration of the security situation in the Middle East.” China, India and several European countries that have missions in Iran have advised citizens to avoid traveling to the country.
China’s Foreign Ministry also advised its citizens already in Iran to leave, according to a statement reported by Chinese state media.
Price and Lee reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Sam Metz in Ramallah, West Bank, Seung Min Kim in Washington, Stephanie Liechtenstein in Vienna, Farnoush Amiri in the United Nations, Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut and Pangiotis Pylas in London contributed to this report.
